CalfCam is used to non-invasively detect parturition in cattle. This is a relatively new product and is still being improved. What changes have been implemented and what are still planned?
The breeder is given time to reach the barn and react
The CalfCam system was created to detect impending births in cattle in a way that does not cause stress to the animals. The creators came to the conclusion that the best solution would be to use cameras.
– Our product detects labor and notifies the breeder that labor has started. This can be done up to an hour in advance, although we assume that it is possible even two hours before delivery. The farmer has time to reach the barn and react, take care of the cow and supervise the birth, so that nothing bad happens, which could mean not only a violation of welfare, but also significant losses for the breeder – explained Łukasz Sędek, Business Product Manager from Promity sp. . z o. o., during the National Challenges in Agriculture – Currently, we can talk about 95 percent. effectiveness with single farrowing crates, he added.
The system is based on non-invasive measurements, i.e. without devices installed on the animal, as Sędek emphasized. Cameras are used to obtain data.
Detection of births also in group pens
The system is still being developed and expanded with new functions, including the detection of births in group berths.
– We are working on detecting postnatal paralysis. In principle, we are already able to do this, but it turned out that there is a much greater need on the Polish market to detect births in collective pens, i.e. in farrowing houses where several or a dozen or so cows stay. That’s why we focused on this and currently the system is able to service a typical farm with group farrowing pens – noted our interlocutor.
– We also plan to expand the system by assessing health and welfare, also based only on computer vision, and the nutritional status of cows – he added.
In addition, the company is working on solutions for milk quality assessment, which are intended to be a cheaper alternative to flow analyzers available on the market, Sędek said.
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